Everton take on third place Nottingham Forest as the home side look to carry on their excellent run against teams towards the top of the league. Sean Dyche's side have already secured eye-catching results against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Everton has been a tough nut to crack since Jarrad Branthwaite has returned from injury. They have only conceded five goals in seven games with the 22-year-old back in the side.
Considering four goals were scored in one game, on a rare off day for Dyche's defence against Manchester United, resilience has been built back into the side. Jordan Pickford has also been in terrific form with his penalty save against Erling Haaland, adding to an array of outstanding saves in the last few weeks.
Dyche's side will need to be on top form against one of the surprise packages of the season in Nottingham Forest. The tricky trees have been in fine form since their comprehensive defeat against Manchester City at the start of December.
Nottingham Forest have since secured four straight league wins which has included scalps against Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. Within this period Nuno Espirito Santo's side has risen above the Champions into third place.
The visitors also have proven to be difficult to break down as their consistent back five have created the foundations for a good amount of narrow wins. They have only beaten Brentford by a bigger than one goal margin in their winning run.
It is a fixture that doesn't promise many goals due to both side's solid defences. Therefore it will depend on which side's superstar steps up to create something out of nothing.
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Team News
Everton will be sweating on the fitness of Seamus Coleman and Iliman Ndiaye after both were withdrawn in the second half against Manchester City. With the latter scoring a brilliant equaliser at the Etihad, it will be a big miss for the Blue not to have the Senegal international available.
Ashley Young is available after serving a one-match ban but may miss out due to sustaining a neck problem against Chelsea. Dwight McNeil remains a doubt after missing the last three games with a knee injury.
Nottingham Forest has no new injury concerns following their 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day. Ryan Yates will be suspended after collecting five yellow cards but gives Nicolas Dominguez a chance to return to the starting line-up after serving a ban.
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Likely line-up
Pickford, Patterson, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Mangala, Gueye, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin, Harrison
Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Willams, Anderson, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood
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Key Players
Everton- Jordan Pickford
England's number one has been in outrageous form lately after he has single-handedly won points for his side. Pickford is now joint top of the clean sheet charts with David Raya and his opposite number one on Sunday, Matz Sels.
The 30-year-old has had to make multiple saves against superior opposition Everton in the last few weeks. This has led to the Blues conceding 22 goals so far this season which is only three worse than Sels has for Nottingham Forest.
Despite Chris Wood not being in the best recent form (one goal in the last five games), the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga will test Pickford. Everton's keeper will need to be dominant in set pieces as Forest will look to take advantage of their record in this area.
If Everton is to get a result out of this game, Pickford will be a vital player with commanding his defensive line whilst being switched on in goal.
Nottingham Forest- Anthony Elanga
The former Manchester United winger has been crucial since returning to the starting lineup with three goals in Forest's last three games. A lot of the wide responsibility has fallen upon Callum Hudson-Odoi but he now has support from Elanga to contribute.
The Swedish international has built up a fruitful relationship with Morgan Gibbs-White as Forest's vice-captain played a beautiful through ball for Elanga's match-winner against Tottenham Hotspur. Beforehand Forest's main creator didn't have someone who would make a penetrating run in behind as Wood would be the lone striker whilst Hudson-Odoi would come short to cut inside.
Mykolenko will be a difficult fullback for Elanga to get the better of in one which makes the latter's off-the-ball movement crucial. Using Ola Aina as an overlap option may be important to Forest's right-hand side and will create an overload to attack Everton in the wide areas.
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Match details
Where is the match being played?
Everton are hosting Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park.
What time is kick-off?
The game is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 pm on Sunday 29th December 2024.
How can I watch it?
The match is not being shown on UK TV.
